About
Irina is a classically trained harpist known for her refined artistry and expressive depth. With international performance experience and a distinguished background in festival curation and pedagogy, she brings elegance, cultural insight, and musical sensitivity to every occasion. Based in the Greater Boston area, Irina offers performances and private instruction throughout New England.
Blending European musical tradition with a thoughtful, contemporary approach, Irina elevates weddings, private events, corporate engagements, and personal study. Her performances are carefully curated to honor the unique spirit of each gathering, creating an atmosphere of sophistication and grace that transforms moments into lasting memories.
Private Events
In New England, private gatherings often carry a sense of history, tradition, and understated elegance. Live harp music complements these settings beautifully, adding refinement while honoring the character of the space. Whether in a historic Boston townhouse, a coastal home along the Massachusetts shoreline, or a classic garden reception, the harp brings warmth, cultural depth, and quiet sophistication.
Weddings
A harp does more than accompany your ceremony; it elevates it. Its luminous tone brings depth, romance, and timeless beauty to each moment. For church ceremonies, the harp enhances the sacred atmosphere with grace and reverence. Its sound carries beautifully through traditional architecture, enriching the space without overwhelming it. The result is intimate, elegant, and profoundly moving. From the prelude as guests gather to the walk down the aisle and the joyful recessional, live harp performance shapes the emotional rhythm of the day — refined, personal, and unforgettable.
Corporate Events
Boston’s corporate culture blends innovation with tradition. For executive receptions, academic galas, nonprofit fundraisers, product launches, and formal networking events, live harp music offers a polished and distinguished presence. The instrument reflects cultural depth and attention to detail — enhancing brand perception while maintaining a welcoming and professional atmosphere. It supports conversation, connection, and elegance without distraction.
Private Celebrations
From Beacon Hill townhomes to coastal homes of Cape Cod, private celebrations in the Boston area often value intimacy, culture, and thoughtful detail. Whether it is a milestone birthday, anniversary dinner, engagement gathering, bridal shower, baby shower, or an elegant private soirée, the harp transforms the atmosphere instantly. Its sound is sophisticated yet inviting — present, but never intrusive. Visually striking and musically expressive, the harp becomes both a centerpiece and a subtle enhancement.
Memorial & Celebration of Life Services
In times of remembrance, the harp provides comfort through beauty and calm. Its gentle resonance creates a serene and dignified setting for reflection and gratitude. Whether in a church, funeral home, or private gathering space, live harp music offers warmth and quiet strength. It honors memory with grace — allowing emotion to unfold naturally and respectfully.
Performance highlights from recent events
Available for select engagements throughout Greater Boston and coastal Massachusetts. Each event is approached with artistry, discretion, and thoughtful attention to detail.
Harp Lessons
Harp study is a deeply personal artistic journey, one that deserves thoughtful guidance and refined musical mentorship. Private lessons are designed to cultivate not only technical excellence, but musical sensitivity, confidence, and expressive depth. Rooted in strong classical foundations and informed by broad stylistic experience, each lesson is tailored with care, clarity, and intention.
For All Levels
Instruction is available for students at every stage, from beginners discovering the instrument for the first time to advanced harpists refining artistry and performance preparation.
All Musical Styles
While grounded in classical tradition, instruction welcomes a wide range of musical styles, including contemporary, crossover, sacred, and popular repertoire.
In-Person & Online
Lessons are offered both in person throughout the Greater Boston area and online for students seeking flexible, high-quality instruction from any location.
Teaching Approach
Irina's teaching approach is rooted in strong classical foundations, thoughtful structure, and individualized attention. Each lesson is carefully designed to cultivate technical security, musical understanding, and expressive confidence in a supportive and focused environment. She emphasizes disciplined technique alongside artistic sensitivity, encouraging students to develop not only skill, but a refined musical voice of their own.
Lesson Details
- Private one-on-one instruction (30, 45, or 60 minutes)
- Flexible scheduling options
- Preparation for examinations and competitions
- Guidance on instrument acquisition and maintenance
Solo & Orchestral Classics
Classical Training
Irina began her studies at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade at the age of sixteen, studying harp under Prof. Dr. Milena Stanišić. She completed both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees with a perfect GPA, earning the title of Student of the Generation. She is currently pursuing doctoral studies, with a particular research focus on the memorization of musical scores and cognitive processes in instrumental performance, alongside questions of harp performance practice and pedagogy.
Solo Recitals
Irina appears regularly as a soloist in prominent venues and festivals, giving concerts that showcase her refined musical sensitivity and technical brilliance. She is particularly dedicated to expanding the harp repertoire through transcriptions, contemporary works, and conceptually curated programs. Her artistic interests include French harp tradition, Bach transcriptions for modern harp, and the integration of historical and modern performance aesthetics.
Awards
Irina has received over 20 national and international awards, including numerous first prizes and Grand Prix distinctions. Notable accolades include the Award for Best Performance of a Composition by J. S. Bach at the International Competition Golden Harp in Russia, where she was also honored with the Irina Shapulina Special Prize. Her academic excellence has been recognized through prestigious awards such as the Saint Sava Award, the City of Belgrade Award, and multiple scholarships from cultural foundations and institutions.
Chamber Music
Irina appears regularly as a chamber musician, giving concerts in prominent venues and festivals. She has collaborated with orchestras and chamber ensembles and is particularly dedicated to expanding the harp repertoire through transcriptions, contemporary works, and conceptually curated programs. Numerous Serbian composers have written works specifically for her, and she has given performances of multiple world and national premieres. She is also the first Serbian harpist to record a CD with the support of SOKOJ, featuring classical works reimagined in jazz arrangements.
Orchestral Experience
Irina has collaborated with orchestras and chamber ensembles, bringing her distinctive artistic voice to symphonic contexts. Her orchestral work reflects her commitment to virtuosic performance and the promotion and redefinition of the harp’s role in contemporary classical music. Through these collaborations, she contributes to expanding the instrument’s presence in diverse musical settings, bridging classical tradition with innovative approaches.
Solo performance: Handel's Harp Concerto
“The harp is an orchestra in itself—a single instrument capable of expressing the full spectrum of human emotion.”
— Irina
Repertoire
A curated selection of classical masterpieces and contemporary favorites, tailored to suit the atmosphere of your event.
Gallery
Contact
Boston-based harpist available throughout New England. To discuss your upcoming event or inquire about availability, please reach out directly.